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Histoplasmosis
Definition
A disease caused by the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. It primarily affects the lungs but can also occur as a disseminated disease that affects additional organs. The acute respiratory disease has symptoms similar to those of a cold or flu and it usually resolves without treatment in healthy individuals. The disseminated form is generally fatal if untreated. (NCI Thesaurus)
More information
Histoplasmosis is a disease caused by a fungus (or mold) called Histoplasma. The fungus is common in the eastern and central United States. It grows in soil and material contaminated with bat or bird droppings. You get infected by breathing the fungal spores. You cannot get the infection from someone else.
Histoplasmosis is often mild, with no symptoms. If you do get sick, it usually affects your lungs. Symptoms include feeling ill, fever, chest pains, and a dry cough. In severe cases, histoplasmosis spreads to other organs. This is called disseminated disease. It is more common in infants, young children, seniors, and people with immune system problems.
Your doctor might do a variety of tests to make the diagnosis, including a chest x-ray, CT scan of the lungs, or examining blood, urine, or tissues for signs of the fungus. Mild cases usually get better without treatment. Treatment of severe or chronic cases is with antifungal drugs. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
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